United are still considering whether to appeal against their points deduction, but they were quick to back general manager/secretary Mick Brown in the wake of the affair.

Chairman Kelvin Thomas said in a statement: “Mick Brown and the administration staff at the club have our full support. There is not, nor has there ever been, any question of Mick or anyone else leaving the club because of this matter.

“Mick has been an extremely capable and loyal servant of this football club for many years now and it would weaken us considerably to lose his services.

“Everyone makes a mistake at some stage and we and the Conference should learn from it.

“What we must do as a club is to stay strong and remain positive. We will do all we can to ensure that whatever the decision (of the appeal), Oxford United are in a position to go forward together.”